UCR How the Enlightenment Changed Western Perceptions of The World Discussion

Materials: 

Lecture 8 – The Enlightenment (Links to an external site.)

Documentary – Mechanical Marvels (Links to an external site.)

Reading: Rene Descartes – Meditations on First Philosophy (1641) (Links to an external site.) 

Purpose: 

This discussion post is designed to evaluate your ability to make broader, analytical connections from the past to contemporary events.  Your discussion post should reflect your critical analysis of the past and present.  

Directions: 

1. Watch the lecture in its entirety.   Watch the documentary. 

2. Based on the lecture (my lecture), respond to the following prompt:

How and in what ways did the Enlightenment change Western European perceptions of the world?  Secondly, describe, in your own words, one of the lasting impacts of the Enlightenment on modern society. 

3. Use evidence (names, dates, events etc.) to fully substantiate your point.  Avoid being vague.  Use specifics. 

4. Analyze the evidence carefully, and present your own interpretations.